Returning veterans to civilian life through a new profession — humanitarian deminer
Practical training at the demining range for students of the Humanitarian Demining course at SHERIFF Demining. June 2025. (Photo: SHERIFF)
Military experience is a valuable asset in many civilian professions. The role of a humanitarian deminer is one such profession that allows veterans to apply their skills in a meaningful way. It’s about using the competencies gained during service — in a career that keeps them close to their comrades and enables growth together.
Demining specialists detect and identify explosive ordnance and remnants of war that pose a danger to civilians. They clear the land so children can play safely on the streets and farmers can cultivate their fields for harvest. Their work allows communities to function freely and without fear.
The stories of veterans who found their path in civilian life through the profession of humanitarian deminer are powerful examples of successful adaptation and professional growth. These are stories of individuals who continue to apply the skills and experience gained during military service — of mastering a new craft and building a future. Training in an environment of peers with similar backgrounds creates a unique community that offers support and motivation throughout the journey.
All of them completed a professional course at the SHERIFF Demining Training and Qualification Center. Thanks to the financial and informational support of the "Believe in Yourself" Foundation, more than 60 veterans have acquired this profession.
The course provided veterans not only with professional knowledge but also contributed to their personal development. Most participants view the deminer profession as a fresh start — a chance to help others and achieve something meaningful for themselves. Training alongside peers with similar life experiences fostered psychological comfort and motivation. Many participants shared that they felt part of a close-knit community, which gave them confidence and strength. Notably, 100% of students reported consistent support from instructors — a testament to the program’s professional and attentive approach. Following the first graduation, job offers have already come in from companies such as Nibulon, the Ukrainian Demining Agency, and NPA. There is also a successful employment case within SHERIFF Demining itself.
Personal mission
“My name is Maksym, I’m 25 years old, and I was born in Mykolaiv Oblast. I graduated from a law academy and worked for some time in the patrol police. Later, I resigned and volunteered to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I served for about a year until I was wounded, which resulted in the loss of a limb.”
This is not just a personal story — it’s the story of many brothers-in-arms who continue to support each other even after the front line. "Brother-in-arms" is a sacred word to me. It means someone who stood beside you in the toughest moments. And those are the people I’m surrounded by today.
When I joined the course at SHERIFF Demining, I immediately felt: these aren’t just “students.” They are people who have lived through war. Everyone sees life differently now, and we quickly found a common language. Our group feels like a small brotherhood.
I found out about the course by chance — I was watching a fight on MEGOGO, where my friend was competing. He was fighting with a prosthetic leg. After the match, there was a video message encouraging veterans to join the humanitarian demining training course. It struck a chord with me. The very next day, I called SHERIFF. The conversation was sincere — everything was explained clearly. I was nervous: would I be able to handle it physically, since the prosthetic is a limitation? But they immediately connected me with the instructors, and after that talk, I knew — it was possible. I had to try.
Humanitarian demining is more than just a field of work. It’s a mission. It’s about the safety of the country, about our loved ones.
Support from friends, conversations with family — that’s what keeps me afloat. And also — playing football on crutches. Those hour and a half or two on the field — that’s time when I don’t think about anything else, I just play and live.
Recently, I found out I’m going to be a father. And that gave me even more strength and motivation. I know why I’m studying, why I’m fighting — so that my child can live in a country where the land is safe.
A conscious choice
Ihor was born in Kharkiv — a city that was among the first to feel what 21st-century war really means. For the past 13 years, he has lived in Kyiv. His background is in IT. His experience — elite sports: alpine skiing, medieval combat, endurance training. But in 2022, even someone used to counting split seconds on a slope learned to count the days of war.
When everything turned upside down on Feb. 24, 2022, his ski school gathered together. By Feb. 27, the whole team was at a military base. No hesitation, no theatrics.
“There wasn’t really a choice. If no one does it — we’re all screwed. It’s a matter of awareness. If a person understands what’s going on, the question of ‘to go or not to go’ doesn’t even come up.”
His words are sharp — like a katana. No frills. But behind that bluntness lies deep reflection. War taught him not just to shoot with precision but to think with clarity.
He didn’t become a deminer because of a calling. He joined the humanitarian demining course because he believes this knowledge is essential. For everyone.
“1,500 kilometers of the front are mined. This isn’t about ‘maybe it’ll come in handy.’ This is about ‘we need it now.’ It doesn’t matter if I start working as a deminer today. Maybe later. But I already have the knowledge. And it lasts a lifetime.”
For someone who had never dealt with demining before, the course turned out to be unexpectedly logical. Nothing was intimidating — everything was explained clearly and simply.
But the most impressive part — the instructors.
“We have incredibly strong expertise. Even familiar topics are presented by the lecturers on a completely different level. They have combat experience and a deep understanding of the processes. Every word is about survival. And every word matters.”
Ihor doesn’t rank subjects as “more interesting” or “less interesting.” He says, “Everything is balanced. Everything is important.” Because in humanitarian demining, nothing is redundant. There is only what saves lives — or doesn’t.
One of his key observations: a veteran who has seen war perceives this knowledge differently — because they understand its cost. For a civilian, it might be just a set of instructions. For a soldier, it can mean the chance to save a comrade.
“This isn’t about ‘retraining.’ It’s about being ready. In these conditions, only skills can help you survive. No titles. No illusions.”
Today, he’s involved in civic work. He helps others. But he carries this knowledge with him — as a vital tool. And if the moment comes, he’ll be ready.
This story is not just about a new career path. It’s about the awareness of how critical this knowledge is today — and the drive to learn in order to save lives.
The path of a military deminer in civilian life
“A deminer is an artist. Each site is like a separate canvas. You need to feel it, think it through, make a decision — and make sure no one else gets hurt.”
His name is Oleh, born in Horishni Plavni, Poltava Oblast. He studied at the Kharkiv Aviation Institute and trained as an economist. His life before the war revolved around public service — land use, leasing, administrative affairs. But Feb. 24, 2022, changed everything.
Oleh volunteered. Within days, he became part of an engineering and demining unit. He saw it all: Kyiv Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast, then command, responsibility, injury — and finally, demobilization. A new chapter began.
“I didn’t want to just leave my experience behind. I wanted to transform it into something that would work for the future.”
Oleh found out about the humanitarian demining course through Kyiv Military Hub and immediately knew — this was it. He didn’t come in as a beginner. He already had the foundation: he knew ordnance, mines, how to handle explosives. But he was surprised by how much the humanitarian approach opened his eyes.
“Eighty percent of what they teach here is new to me. It’s a different level of system thinking, different methods, a different goal. Not to destroy — but to preserve.”
Humanitarian demining is about people. And each site requires an individual approach. Oleh compares it to a creative process. Every day in training feels like a masterclass in responsibility — real-life cases, deep analysis, and the ethics of handling danger.
And then — there’s the community. For Oleh, it’s not just a group. It’s a bond he describes as stronger than friendship.
“Here, we are those who’ve been through war but haven’t lost our inner energy. This is beyond friendship. This is brotherhood. And it’s forever.”
His belief goes beyond the personal — he actively recommends the course to fellow veterans. Two of them have already enrolled in the next group.
“I tell everyone connected to the military: this is a path worth taking. It opens new horizons — and gives you a meaningful role in shaping the future.”
This is the story of a professional who transformed his military experience into a mission to clear the land and restore peaceful life.
Discovering a new horizon
His name is Yarik, callsign “Tito.” Even before the full-scale invasion, he had completed a medical check-up at the military enlistment office — just in case. And that “case” came. In the first days of the invasion, he joined the defense forces of Kyiv. But when the situation in the capital stabilized, Yarik did what seemed logical at the time — he went to the front.
“Got tired of sitting in the rear. First, we went to the Kharkiv counteroffensive, then to Bakhmut. And there — it got real.”
After Donbas came an injury, hospital stay, and rehabilitation. Then — discharge. But like many veterans, Yarik faced a new reality: returning to civilian life can be more painful than the front line. Not physically — but mentally.
“Just sitting at a desk — that’s not for everyone. After the war, you still crave even a drop of adrenaline. And there aren’t that many jobs where you can find that, let alone with decent pay.”
He contacted Kyiv City Administration — just to apply for veteran benefits. That’s when he heard, through the Kyiv Military Hub, about a humanitarian demining course for veterans at SHERIFF Demining. He joined the Telegram channel. Read through the info. Made the call.
“I was impressed — everything was clear, no fluff. Came in for the interview — great first impression. I decided to give it a try. Haven’t regretted it for a second.”
For an infantryman who had only ever seen mines from the outside, this field was completely new. But that’s exactly what made the learning process so captivating — like starting a book from the first page and immediately getting hooked.
“My knowledge of mines didn’t just grow — it skyrocketed. Every day, something new. Every topic is like an open field you’re slowly clearing.”
What impressed him most was the teaching style. No dry lectures. No boring slides. The instructors were seasoned combat professionals. They spoke in simple terms, joked in military humor, didn’t sugarcoat anything — but didn’t scare you either.
“Training felt like a breath of fresh air. It flew by in a millisecond. There were no dull topics. Everything was taught in a way that made you want to keep learning. If someone told me they wanted to become a deminer — I’d say: ‘Dude, I know an awesome center where top instructors will teach you everything.’”
This is a story of truly discovering a new horizon — through an exciting and meaningful profession. A chance to apply hard-earned knowledge to eliminate real threats.
Today, Ukraine is a country at war and one actively striving for recovery. Over 30% of its territory — more than 170,000 square kilometers—is contaminated with explosive hazards. Behind these numbers are forests that can’t be entered, fields that can’t be cultivated, and homes people cannot return to. Whether this becomes a legacy for future generations or is dismantled alongside the war depends on each of us.
That’s why expanding reskilling opportunities for veterans in the field of humanitarian demining is one of the most effective approaches to:
- combine military experience with civilian value;
- foster a supportive community environment;
- address the shortage of qualified professionals in a critically important field;
- offer a prestigious and well-paid path for applying vital
skills.
This journey isn’t individual — it’s a brotherhood and sisterhood forged in classrooms and on training fields. It’s a new kind of solidarity, where no one stands alone.
But to turn these stories into thousands more, we need systemic support. We need international partners to join a strategic vision — to help scale efforts, raise public awareness, and provide veterans with the opportunity to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to high-impact missions.
SHERIFF Demining is proof that such programs work. And now is the time to take these initiatives to the national level — from community to region, from region to state.
Because this is our land. Our mission. And our life after the war.
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